Crazy Good Casserole (Printable View)

Creamy baked pasta with chicken, bacon, and melted cheese topped with buttery breadcrumbs.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
02 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Pasta

03 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

→ Dairy

04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1 cup sour cream
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Vegetables

08 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
09 - 1 small onion, finely diced
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - ½ tsp black pepper
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp dried thyme

→ Topping

15 - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly.
03 - Sauté diced onion in a skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute longer.
04 - Add cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, thawed peas, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme to the skillet. Remove from heat.
05 - Whisk together sour cream, softened cream cheese, whole milk, and 2 cups shredded cheddar in a large bowl until smooth.
06 - Add drained pasta and chicken mixture to the cheese sauce. Stir until evenly coated throughout.
07 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
08 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese in a small bowl.
09 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
10 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
11 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything you crave in one dish, crispy bacon, creamy cheese, tender chicken
  • The golden panko topping makes people think you spent hours on it
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting time, I once served it immediately and it was a delicious mess
  • The topping can brown quickly, check at 20 minutes and tent with foil if needed
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese from blocks, pre shredded cheese has anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Cook the bacon extra crispy since it will soften in the oven

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